Unlike a day at the office, external cargo lifts create extreme working conditions

Photo By Cpl. Ryan Young | Lance Cpl. LingFi Li, a landing support specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 7, works as an outside director, relaying instructions to pilots from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 during an external cargo lift training exercise aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, April 27. The Marines of CLB-7 assisted various squadrons with external lift training more than once a week.  

AL ASAD, IRAQ

05.01.2009

Story by Cpl. Ryan Young 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq — Standing strong and balanced while a Marine CH-53E Super Stallion heavy-lift transport helicopter hovers mere feet overhead is not an easy task.

The force of the winds created by the rotor blades' downwash can reach speeds in excess of 150 mph. Making the mission more difficult is sand from the desert floor being thrown into the faces of the Marines on the ground, creating harsh conditions with low visibility. All the while, these Marines are calling out orders, using hand signals to keep the aircrew informed, and accomplishing the task of linking up cables to lift cargo without having the aircraft touch down.

Though the Marines have the peace of mind that this is training, the potential for danger is high and margin for error is slim. Training exercises in the sands of Iraq keep the Marines of Combat Logistics Battalion 7 and the aircrew from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, as well as other external lift-capable squadrons, alert and ready for anything.

"The expeditionary nature of the Marine Corps calls for this kind of capability; to move heavy equipment to areas that may not be reachable by ground movement," said Cpl. Eric Randall, a landing support specialist with CLB-7. "The aircrew and the helicopter support team on the ground need to have hands-on experience with external lifts in case [we've] got to get things moving fast."

Communication is continuous

As a helicopter approaches the landing zone, the helicopter support team on the ground begins directing the pilots with arm signals. The outside director stands 75 yards in front of the aircraft and mimics the inside director's arm signals.

"The inside director is right there under the aircraft and sees what movements need to be made to get everything in position," explained Randall. "The outside director copies everything he sees so the pilots can make adjustments."

Aboard the Super Stallion, the aircrew observes everything they can see and relays information to the pilots. A crew chief looks down from an opened floor hatch in the middle of the aircraft to watch the inside director on the ground as aerial observers peer out the sides of the aircraft, over the gun mounts, observing everything.

"Our main job is to constantly communicate with the pilots, which keeps them calm and informed," said Cpl. Jon Decarney, an aerial observer with HMH-361.

The aircrew is all the pilot has to speak with as far as what is going on under the aircraft. They act as the pilot's eyes and ears throughout the entire process, said Capt. Ian Brown, a pilot with HMH-361.

Training keeps link-up safe

The sense of danger and the importance of proficiency become apparent when this aircraft, comparable in size to a bus, is holding altitude just off the surface of the earth, as Marines below work quickly to secure cargo to a hook dangling from the helicopter.

In addition to the fierce winds kicking up debris below the helicopter, the aircraft itself poses a danger to the Marines on the ground. Static electricity builds up while the aircraft is in flight, creating the potential to send 150,000 volts into anyone who may come into contact with the cargo hook before it is properly grounded out by a static wand.

"No one touches anything until the Marine with the wand grounds out the aircraft," said Cpl. Ronald Butler, a helicopter support team commander.

Another potential hazard is the cables, chains and tethers used to secure cargo to the aircraft. People can be severely injured if they are not clear when the slack in the ties is pulled taut.

"You don't want something to go wrong under there. If something happens, it is most likely going to be big," explained Randall. "That is why everyone keeps their eyes open for safety concerns."

Deployed training has its advantages

A major advantage to being able to train aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, is the wide open space available.

"We don't have to worry about training over populated areas here," explained Maj. Gregory Baker, a CH-53E pilot and aviation safety officer with Marine Aircraft Group 26. "If there is an emergency, the pilots have the option to release the cargo and not hit something on the ground."

External cargo lift training is required once every 365 days for squadrons that have the capability. The landing support specialists on the ground here find themselves out at the landing zones more than once a week, assisting various squadrons as they hone their external lift skills.

"This training is a fun part of our job," said Butler. "The squadrons train as often as they can and we get better and better with our job on the ground each time we come out here to assist them."

For more information on the ongoing mission in Iraq's Al Anbar province, visit www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd.

• Date Taken: 05.01.2009
• Date Posted: 05.01.2009 04:12
• Story ID: 33084
• Location: AL ASAD, IQ